Bars and Pubs

There are at least as many bars and pubs in Northern Cyprus as there are restaurants meaning that there is a wide choice available to keep everyone happy whatever their own personal pub or bar preference.

From the family friendly pub offering quiz nights and karaoke to sophisticated late night music bars and everything else besides, when it comes to bars and pubs visitors and residents of Northern Cyprus are well catered for.

This article will examine the type of bars and pubs available and present a few suggestions for you to try. But it’s essential to get out there and explore what’s on offer, that way you can be assured when you find your favourite you really have done your homework thoroughly!

Harbour Bars

The harbour in Kyrenia is unarguably the prettiest most desirable place to while away an hour, a day or even all night and the horseshoe shaped harbour is home to a whole host of bars and restaurants.

The best two (in my opinion only) are Cafe 34 which is only open at night and Boaters Cafe which is open all day long and which also serves snacks and meals.

Cafe 34 is perfectly situated on the curve of the harbour and from where you can sit and view all the comings and goings from one end of the strip to the other. You can sit outside in the summer and people watch or you can sit inside and listen to the excellent music. It is definitely a good place to be seen and is frequented by ‘the beautiful people’ especially in the summer! The decor is sophisticated, the staff efficient and the ambience is exciting but relaxed.

Boaters Cafe offers a far more laid back experience. It is situated right at the start of the harbour and has a well proportioned outdoor seating area, the decor is fairly basic but the place is very comfortable and the staff are some of the warmest and most friendly around.

Night Bars

Two of the best late night bars are NightJar and C’est La Vie, they offer those seeking a great place to chill out, listen to music, chat to friends and enjoy a drink or two the best places to go.

NightJar is up the first side street off the main street that goes up from Ataturk’s statue on the harbour and located in a cellar...don’t be afraid to enter! You’ll be assured a very warm welcome, comfortable and relaxed surroundings, a pool table, dance floor, occasional live music and of course a full range of drinks.

C’est La Vie offers much the same, both bars open at 9pm and stay open until the last weary revellers decide to head for home. C’est La Vie is located opposite the main Mosque in the old town of Kyrenia.

Music Venues

One of the best music venues on the whole island is La Habanera which is located in the Rocks Hotel. Many people incorrectly assume La Habanera is for hotel residents only as you have to go into the hotel to get to it...but no, it is open to one and all and it is the most excellent jazz club around. The live music they offer is world class, the decor within the bar is exquisite, the service is exactly what you would expect from a five star luxury hotel and yet the prices for drinks are still fairly reasonable. This is a great place to chill out with friends and enjoy a spectacular evening’s entertainment.

There are many pubs and bars around who have a range of live singers and small pop, rock and jazz bands playing especially throughout the summer season, watch out for details of weekly events in the Cyprus Today newspaper which comes out every Saturday.

Traditional Pubs

The Villa Swallow in Kyrenia is a great destination if you’re after a fairly traditional pub atmosphere. They serve good priced, tasty food, they have organised quiz nights on Thursdays, Karaoke on Fridays, 70s and 80s night on Saturdays and all major sporting events are shown on their big screens. In the summer their courtyard is open and it’s a lovely place to sit out with friends or family and chill out.

Further out of town The Castle in Karaoglanoglu is another quality pub serving fairly traditional pub grub, showing major sporting events and with a lovely outdoor area where you can sit and chill out among the pretty flower beds.

This article barely scratches the surface of what’s available but if you’re after a place to start it should set you on the right track! Of course all the hotels and holiday villages have their own bars for residents and most are excellent offering a family friendly welcome. Furthermore all the casinos on the island have their own bars as well...drinks are often free to those who come in to gamble...children are of course not allowed but they offer an interesting alternative to an evening in a pub!

Whatever your own personal preference for your evening’s entertainment, one thing’s for sure, the bars and pubs of Northern Cyprus will give you plenty of choice.